Last updated: July 28, 2022
Place
Confluence Overlook
NPS
Quick Facts
Location:
46.461539, -116.991800
MANAGED BY:
Idaho Transportation Department, Idaho State Historical Society
Amenities
2 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto
The Clearwater and Snake Rivers meet at what is now Lewiston, ID. The Nez Perce used the Clearwater and its tributaries as a super highway, traveling up and down the river to visit relatives, trade and fish.
Far below the Confluence Overlook on the north bank of the Clearwater River, Donald MacKenzie established a trading post in August of 1812. The fur trading post proved unsuccessful because the Nez Perce wanted to trade food and horses but were unwilling to trap beavers.
The highway pullout overlooks the confluence and valleys of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. This is a large pullout near the top of Lewiston Grade on US Highway 95 that overlooks the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers.
Getting to Confluence Overlook
The Confluence Overlook is at a highway pullout about 8 miles north of Lewiston, Idaho, on the Lewiston Grade of U.S. Highway 95.
Driving to Confluence Overlook
From Lewiston, Idaho, head northwest onto U.S. Highway 12 East. Continue onto U.S. Highway 12 E and cross the Memorial Bridge across the Clearwater River. Then merge onto U.S. Highway 95 North via the ramp to Moscow/Coeur D' Alene for 5.6 miles. Turn left onto Spur Road followed by a quick right turn onto Beacon Drive. After 0.5 miles, turn right onto Old Spiral Highway and then another quick right onto U.S. Highway 95 South. Follow U.S. Highway 95 S for 1.4 miles. The highway pullout for the Confluence Overlook will be on the right.
Things to Do at Confluence Overlook
Explore the Site
From the Confluence Overlook, you can see the vast expanse of the Nez Perce homeland: the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, Hells Canyon, and on a clear day, glimpses of the Bitterroot and Wallowa Mountains. This highway pullout site also has a historical marker that explains more about the MacKenzie Pacific Fur Trading Post and how the Nez Perce people used this area in the past.